Shoulder Strength and Total Arc Range of Motion: Associations With Upper-Extremity Joint Kinetics and Ball Velocity in Adolescent Baseball Pitchers

Pitchers with greater shoulder IR strength and reduced total arc ROM demonstrated increased elbow valgus torque at maximal shoulder ER during pitching. Although IR strength is crucial for generating ball velocity, maintaining total arc ROM within an optimal range will help reduce elbow joint stress. In addition, shoulder ER was positively associated with peak shoulder distraction force. Monitoring ER strength may help identify potential fatigue or imbalance, allowing for timely clinical attention.